[jeff1]

I see loads of posts on CIU regarding the Gutter vac and a few on the Gutter Lance.

These are Just a few of my own personal views for owning the Gutter lance rather than the Gutter vac, maybe in the distant future I would consider buying a vac but until then I need to be convinced by the benefit.

No Matter what system you buy Vac or Lance, they both take effort to operate so there is no argument on this.

Gutter Vac for and against (please tell me if I have missed anything or got anything wrong because this one I'm finding difficult as I don't own one)

Against Gutter Vac

1.) To purchase the Gutter Vac costs in the region of £2000 with all the add on's you'll need.
2.) You can only clean the internal sections of guttering.
3.) The external Section and down pipes are still left dirty.
4.) You can't clean out a blocked drain pipe.
5.) Along with the above costs you need an electrical generator of at least 5Kw


For Gutter Vac
All the rubbish is collected in a steel container. (If there are any more for's please let me know)

Against Gutter Lance

1.) It can leave you with a mess to clean up.
2.) Care must be Taken regarding overhead cables.
3.) Facility's for out side tap needed (If there are any more let me know)

For the Gutter Lance

1.) Cost of purchase including bits needed (without a pressure washer) around £100
2.) Runs better on a cheaper pressure washer (around £200)
3.) Cleans Internal sections of guttering.
4.) Cleans external sections of guttering including drain pipes.
5.) Can clean out a blocked pipe.
6.) Extra work can be added, like external cladding and high sided lorries.

The lists above are probably not exhaustive in the for's and against for each machine.
The noise created from both Pressure washer and Electrical generator can be listed in both for and against, I found the noise of my Petrol pressure washer brought out occasional neighbours, this resulted in extra work, never had a complaint about the noise, so the same can be said about a petrol Generator.

This post is not meant to be argumentative but constructive so lets keep it that way.

[STEVE-UK]

how high does the gutter lance go

[jeff1]

1.8 - 7.3m

[Wayne Thomas]

Ionics gutter vac will unblock a full downpipe and doesn't require a separate generator so less space taken up in the van.
Downside is they cost £3500+VAT.

Still can't get away from using a pressure washer for external gutter cleaning unless it's done by the slower, wfp method which defeats the object of saving time and increasing your earnings.

[Jeff Brimble]

Item  2.) Runs better on a cheaper pressure washer (around £200)  ?

Why?

[ftp]

Jeff, how much petrol do you get through for a normal house - is it measureable or nothing to worry about?

[STEVE-UK]

with the upkeeper you can legally clean up to the same height on ladders so you cant really charge that much, i would be tempted with the upkeeper if it went to the 2nd floor as its all in one

[jeff1]

Jeff, how much petrol do you get through for a normal house - is it measureable or nothing to worry about?

To be honest with you ftp, they use very little on an average house I would say around a quater of a tank.
I would hazzard a guess and say the generators are about the same, non of them use vast amounts of fuel.

[jeff1]

Item  2.) Runs better on a cheaper pressure washer (around £200)  ?

Why?

If you use a high psi pressure washer Jeff, its like fighting with a whale on the end, I went back to my lower psi one for this reason, you don't need vasts amount of pressure for cleaning.

[ftp]

Whilst your here Jeff, would you mind giving a list of what you consider nessesary for the job - i've had a quick look at northern tools and presume you have the telescopic "wand", a selection of nozzles, maybe the back belt too, can't remember what washer your using, anything else obviously missing?

[paulscotney]

I have the northern tool lance. I find it is brill at clearing out the gutters. But on any day that is at all windy, the crap goes over all the neighbours windows and cars. I know there is a skill to it but I haven't found it.

I don't use mine anymore unless it is a house with no neighbours for about 50 yards, as I am fed up with cleaning neighbours cars etc.

[jeff1]

Whilst your here Jeff, would you mind giving a list of what you consider nessesary for the job - i've had a quick look at northern tools and presume you have the telescopic "wand", a selection of nozzles, maybe the back belt too, can't remember what washer your using, anything else obviously missing?

I listened to a few guy's who had the lance before I bought one, they bought the belt but found it to be a pain in the rear, I just rest the lance on my hip after getting the hight correct.

You also need the gutter tool cost around £10
I have 2 pressure washers, One is a new one I just bought from Northerntool for my gutter work.
www.northerntooluk.com/products.asp?partno=9006E this comes with all the Jets you'll need, use the white one for most of your work and if you get any stubborn bits just stick the yellow one on.

I take my Mk1 gutter scoop I made, this scoops out any gardens growing up there, the lance will blast it out, but it takes that much longer and more mess to clean up, The Mk1 scoop is so much quicker

[paulscotney]

second that, the belt is not necessary.

[jeff1]

I have the northern tool lance. I find it is brill at clearing out the gutters. But on any day that is at all windy, the crap goes over all the neighbours windows and cars. I know there is a skill to it but I haven't found it.

I don't use mine anymore unless it is a house with no neighbours for about 50 yards, as I am fed up with cleaning neighbours cars etc.

Your right Paul there is a knack, use the jet to sweep it along, if you angle the jets to much this will tend to blast it upwards and over next door, don't use to much angle and you can create less mess and sweep it along the guttering to the downpipe.

[ftp]

Interesting reading for a change - thanks lads. 

Thats £342 plus delivery - even cheaper than my pole! Certainly food for thought there.

[Glyn H]

Hi Jeff
The cost for a GutterVac  to reach the height you do is nowhere near £2000.00
its just slightly more than half that price - 24' GutterVac is actually £1090.00.
The 240 Volt system can obviosly work from the clients mains power supply so a generator is required only if you wish to not bother the customer by using their power.

I am sure you are aware that we also produce a gutter lance that can be used at 15 metres (45').
The range of accesories for both these systems is extensive many are not yet shown on our website.

[paulscotney]

Yes well impressed with Gutter vac  went to Glyn's about a month ago for demo. Ordering one this week definately.

[jeff1]

Hi Jeff
The cost for a GutterVac  to reach the height you do is nowhere near £2000.00
its just slightly more than half that price - 24' GutterVac is actually £1090.00.
The 240 Volt system can obviosly work from the clients mains power supply so a generator is required only if you wish to not bother the customer by using their power.

I am sure you are aware that we also produce a gutter lance that can be used at 15 metres (45').
The range of accesories for both these systems is extensive many are not yet shown on our website.

Thanks for your in-put Glyn, I appreciate it and I stand corrected on the price.

These are only my own personal views, but to plug into a customers supply will not only look un-professional but the need for a RCD is a must.
I'm not 100% sure but I also think they will break h&s policys, any trade working out-side with mains electricity should be using 110v and not 240v, again I'm not sure but I think you supply 110v and any one buying a gutter vac system would be wise to purchase the 110v system from Glyn and not the 240v.

I wasn't aware of your gutter Lance, but Would the 45' one need 2 guy's to operate it? I find at 25' it becomes hard work on my own, if I have a few to do in one day.

As stated in my original post I'm open to comments and suggestions, my reasons for this, is I'm going to do a write up on both systems and I want to get it right and give an honest and open opinion with all the for's and againsts.

once again thanks for your input.

[Kevin R]

If I could make a comment, to clean gutter correctly without mess especially for commercial premises  when they are working in the building while you work, using just a pressure lance will make a god awful mess and block the down pipes and drains!!! If you vac first then use a pressure washer to flush the gutters and down pipes you can be sure that you have done a thorough job. If you just vac how do you know the down pipes are clear?

Its not a case of one or the other is a case of having and using both!

[jeff1]

In an ideal world that would be the answer Kev, apart from the Total cost, look at all the equipment you would have to carry, it would be possible for those with bigger vans, but those with smaller vans would find it a little harder.

Good comment Though